We are flying overnight into Rome and need to get to Sorrento on Sept. 26. Our flight from the States lands at Fiumicino at 8:15 a.m. at Terminal 3. The fast train from the airport station, nonstop to Naples, leaves at 9:40, as does an Alitalia flight from Terminal 1. I am concerned that we won't make a connection to either one. Do we have to clear customs when we land in Rome before getting either a connecting flight or the train? How long does it take to walk from Terminal 3 to the train station? We are not adverse to getting a private transfer, but the cheapest cost we've found for two people is about 500 euros, which seems prohibitive. Any suggestions as to the best way to get to Sorrento as we are sure to be super tired.
Posted by
Los Angeles by way of Providence and Rome
610 posts
You can take the Leonardo Express train (about 16 euros a person) or a taxi (flat fare of 55 euros) from the airport to Termini station in Rome, and from there a fast train to Naples. There are multiple trains daily between Rome and Naples. Once in Naples, you could take a ferry or the local Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. Or, if you're really wiped out, a taxi between Naples and Sorrento but that would probably be 100 euros or so.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6991 posts
Hello and welcome!
You will go thru Passport Control -which can take time, then pick up your bags then walk out the “nothing to declare “ door
Flights are often late so don’t purchase any train tickets til you arrive
Take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini and take the next fast train to Napoli Centrale ( several each hour)
I suggest getting a driver to pick you up in Naples to take you to Sorrento
This is a common topic, do some searches
Filter search by Type and Date
Train tickets here:
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html
You can download the app and purchase on the app on ce you are thru Passport control or just go to a kiosk or ticket window at FCO train station and purchase there
We used this company for a transfer from Naples Centrale to Sorrento- was about 100 euros in 2019
www.topexcurisonsorrento.com
Search result for "FCO to Sorrento"
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=FCO+to+Sorrento&utf8=✓
Posted by
San Diego, California
5409 posts
When I first heard the price of a private driver, I had a hard time accepting it. But the infrastructure south of Naples has been sadly neglected, both roads and trains , and the congestion is monumental- most all the time. You are going to be jet lagged, and must deal with three trains to get to Sorrento, and the waiting time between trains, all on very little sleep. You need to be clear- headed enough not to lose sight of your valuables. The last train is pretty rugged, not air conditioned, and downright uncomfortable. A private driver just from Naples could take two hours in the congestion- that happened to us.
We worked a package deal with Aldo Limos, and were very happy with these folks. (You'll also need to get back to Rome,right? ) Christine in the office is a Brit, so email communication was easy.
Perhaps view this as an extension of your vacation, and treat yourself, at least on the way to Sorrento. I doubt you'll regret the private transfer. (Just maybe cut back on a few luxuries now??)
RS recommends Mondo tours, and they offer some shared transportation, but that's seems hard to organize, if a shared service is waiting for an additional plane.
Think about it.....have you ever regretted a little extra splurge? Good luck and safe travels.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7750 posts
Unlike, for example, JFK in New York City, FCO airport has a dedicated train service providing a one-seat ride to downtown Rome. It is not reasonable to plan a one seat ride to Naples, let alone to Sorrento. Have you been to Europe before?
Sorrento is not next door to Rome. I personally would not find a four to five hour car ride to be a luxury, even if it were "one seat." The 1:10 or so Frecciarossa trains from Roma Termini to Naples would seem to be what you want. There are hundreds of discussions here about Naples to Sorrento, but a 130(?) Euro limo or taxi from Naples is a reasonable decision.
Please remember this as you plan your return home, well in advance of your departure.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/naples-to-sorrento-train-or-private-driver
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-amalfi-coast
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4425 posts
That €500 is cheap compared some of the prices I found when I did this route last year. We ended up taking the airport train into Rome and then the fast train to Naples and the Circumvesuviana line to Sorrento. We bought our tickets to Naples at the Kiosk at the airport train station at the same time as we bought the ticket from FCO to Rome Termini. I'd say from the time we landed it took about 75 minutes to get through customs and to the train station and a total of two hours to get to Rome Termini. In all, we landed at FCO at 12:30pm and got to our hotel in Sorrento at about 7pm. If I had a do-over I would have stayed overnight in Rome. We were tired, groggy and grumpy after an overnight flight and in no condition to do the thinking we needed to do to catch 3 trains and then a taxi to our hotel.
Here's a link to my Trip report. If you scroll down to 'Day 1' you'll learn how not to spend your first day. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-2-weeks-of-day-trips-from-sorrento